Bedframe having special support means



May 3, 1955 BEDFRAME HAVING SPECIAL SUPPORT MEANS File d Aug. 27, 1952 vIN V EN TOR. Manna JSA N05 H. J. SANDS 2,707,288 I United States PatentBEDFRAME HAVING SPECIAL SUPPORT MEANS Hillard J. Sands, Cleveland, Ohio,assignor to The Harvard Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Application August 27, 1952, Serial No. 306,692

9 Claims. (Cl. -131) This invention relates to bedframes andparticularly to bedframes of the type classified as Hollywood bedframes,and to the support legs and cross rails therefor.

Ordinarily, Hollywood style bedframes primarily are made from metalangles which are assembled in various manners to provide supports forthe springs and mattress of a bed. in making bedframes from metalangles, it naturally is desired to obtain maximum strength in thebedframe by use of a minimum amount of material. However, certainelements of the bedframe, and particularly to support legs and crossrails thereof are subjected to quite high stresses when in use. This isparticularly true because of the fact that the support legs normallyhave casters secured thereto in some manner and these casters are offsetor trail with relation to the caster support whereby relatively largeturning movements are set up in the bedframe by the support forcescarried by the casters. Hence, it is difficult to provide light weightsupport legs in Hollywood beds where a strong support is required.

In some bedframes, it is desirable to have low cross rails provided toconnect the side rails of the frame and such types of cross rails havebeen difiicult to provide in Hollywood beds as they could not beconnected securely to the remaining elements of the bedframes unlessrelatively large amounts of reinforcing materials were used.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved type of a bedframe which is particularly characterized by thesturdy connections between the support legs and the remaining elementsof the bedframe, and by the low position of the cross rails of theframe.

Another object of the invention is to use a support leg in a bedframewith such a support leg having integral lugs formed thereon at its upperend for contact with the bedframe side rail and with lower lugs forengaging a bedframe cross rail.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel combination ofmetal angles placed in special relation to each other for forming asturdy support leg and cross rail assembly with the effective length ofthe cross rail being adjustable.

Another object of the invention is to position casters in bedframe crossrails ina sturdy, strong manner to provide maximum strength and safetyin the bedframe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively uncomplicatedtype of a bedframe which can be shipped in knocked-down, compact formand which can be securely assembled by relatively unskilled labor.

Other objects of the invention are to provide bedframes which are ofsafe construction and attractive in appearance due to the special legsupports used and the provision of casters spaced inwardly of the frame,and which are designed for maximum strength in the frame.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will bemade more apparent as the specificaa tion proceeds.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference should behad to the accompanying drawings ice wherein currently preferredembodiments of the invention are shown and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a broken away elevation of a bedframe embodying the principlesof the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan of a portion of the bedlframe of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line III-III of Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the caster positioning meansand cross rail of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a section through a cross rail of the invention showing amodification of the caster means of the invention;

Fig. 6 is an elevation of a modified support leg of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a section on line VII-VII of Fig. 6.

The present invention broadly resides: in a bedframe which has a siderail, a cross rail of inverted V-shape in section, and a leg forsecuring the cross rail to the side rail. The leg is of angular shape insection and usually has pairs of top and bottom lugs thereon with thetop lugs being secured to the side rails and the lower lugs beingsecured to the cross rail. Caster means are carried by the cross railand are positioned thereby.

Attention is now directed to the details of the drawings and a bedframeis illustrated in Fig. l which bedframe is indicated as a Whole by thenumeral 1. The bedfranie 1 includes side rails 2 and 3 each of which isshown of suitable angular shape in section and is usually made from aconventional metal angle.

As an important feature of the invention, a novel type of a support leg4 is provided in the bedframe 1. The support legs used in the bedframeare of angular shape in section and they are made from conventionalangles or they may be made from sheet metal pressed to shape. Thesupport legs 4 are specially processed to form end lugs thereon in themanner set forth in detail hereinafter. Usually the bedframe 1 alsoincludes a plurality of cross rails 5, each of which usually is madefrom angles of angular shape in section and with the cross rails 5 beingmade by positioning the angles in inverted, or turned over position sothat they are in effect of inverted V- shape in section. Cross rails areprovided adjacent each end of the side rails 2 and 3.

Usually, the cross rails 5 are made in two sections, with one section ofeach cross rail being fixedly secured to a support leg 4 and extendingtherefrom transversely of the bedframe 1. These cross rails areadjustably secured together as by suitable means such as a strap type ofa clamp indicated as a whole by the numeral 6, which clamp is manuallyadjustable.

In order to secure the support legs 4 to the side rails 2 and 3, a pairof outwardly directed lugs 7 are formed on or pressed out from thesupport leg 4 at the upper ends thereof as indicated in Fig. 2. Thesesupport lugs 7 are adapted to be positioned in a substantiallyhorizontal plane when the support legs lie against the lower surface ofone of the side rails 2 and 3 and are suitably secured thereto, as bythe use of bolts 8 which extend through aligned holes provided in thelugs and side rails so that the support legs may be shipped inknocked-down condition. The support legs and other components of thebedt'rame 1 may be welded or riveted together when convenient. As afeature of the invention, a pair of integral lugs 9 are provided on thelower end of each of the support legs 4. All of the lugs 7 and 9 arepreferably by stamping them from an extended portion of the sup portlegs 4. The lugs 9 lie abutted against the surface of the member towhich they are to be secured. Hence, the lugs 9 lie on top of the crossrails 5 and are suitably secured'thereto, as by the use of bolts 10, orrivets extending through the lugs 9 and cross rails 5. It will be seenthat the support legs 4 provide maximum strength for the amount ofmaterial used therein due to their angular cross section, and to theshape and positioning of the lugs 9. It will be noted that the supportlegs 4 extend generally downwardly and slightly inwardly of thebedframe 1. By the positioning of the support legs 4, as shown, theangle formed between the lugs 9 and the adjacent outer surface of thesupport legs is appreciably greater than 90 and usually is in thevicinity of 130 so that the metal is not stressed severely in being bentto provide the lugs 9. In some instances, the lugs 7 and 9 are ofdifferent shapes than that shown, if desired. Also, the lugs 7 couldextend inwardly of the legs 4 when convenient.

Casters are positioned in the bedframe 1 in a solid, sturdy manner, andthe caster support means provided may include a caster plate 11 whichusually has upwardly directed lugs 12 thereon that are adapted to engagewith and be bent over the lower edges of the cross rails 5 so that eachcaster plate is bridged over a lower portion of a cross rail. Preferablythe lower edges of the cross rails are notched at 13 to receive thecaster plate and prevent movement thereof along the axis of the crossrail. Casters 14 of conventional construction are provided for thebedframe and they engage caster sockets 15 which extend through holes 16provided in the caster plates 11. These caster sockets 15 are shown asextending through holes or apertures 17 provided at the upper or apexcorners of the cross rails 5 so that the caster sockets 1 5 are securedin place by relatively widely spaced retaining forces applied thereto bythe cross rails 5 and the caster plates 11. This positioning of thecasters 14 has provided an effective stabilized caster support actionwith the cross rails 5 being well adapted to withstand ordinary turningmoments set up in the bedframe by application of load thereto andwherein such loads are of course carried; by the casters 14. The top ofthe caster sockets 15 may otherwise engage the cross rails 5' ifdesired.

As a modification of the invention, a cross rail 20 is shown in Fig. 5and it has a suitable caster plate 21 secured thereto by a screw 22.This screw 22 extends through a hole in a cross rail 20 and engages asuitably tapped hole in an upwardly and inwardly directed lug 23 in thecaster plate 21. This plate also has an upwardly directed lug 24, thatengages the outer surface of the cross rail 20 opposed from the screw22. The caster plate 21 suitably positions a caster 25 through a supportplate 26. The support plate 26 is rotatably engaged with the casterplate 21 by means of a rivet or headed pin 27 and by roller bearings 28that are positioned intermediate the caster plate and the support plate26.

Fig. 6 shows a support leg 30, like the support leg 4, only in thisembodiment of the invention, the apex of the angle used in making theleg is outwardly directed. The leg 30 positions a side rail 31 on across rail 32.

The support leg 30 has downwardly and outwardlydirected lower lugs 33thereon abutted against the inclined upper surface of the cross rail andsuitably secured thereto. Upper support lugs 34,. like the lugs 7; alsoare provided on the support leg 30, and such lugs 34 are secured to theside rail 31 in a conventional manner.

It will be noted that both the upper and lower ends of the support legsengage or contact the cross rails and the side rails and form a bracethat extends therebetween.

Bedframes constructed in accordance with the invention have hadexcellent service life and have carried large loads without anydistortion of the bedframe. The cross rails carry the casters and arepositioned very close to the floor, and the support legs 4 are of sturdyinexpensive construction and extend inwardly of the frame. Thus,

it is thought that the objects of the invention have been achieved.

While several embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein,it will be appreciated that modifications of these particularembodiments of the invention may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a bedframe or the like, a side rail, a cross rail of invertedV-shape in section, a leg securing said cross rail to said side rail,said leg being of angular shape in section and having a pair ofoutwardly and horizontally directed integral top lugs contacting thelower surface of said side rail, said leg having a pair of outwardly anddownwardly directed integral lower lugs contacting the upper surfaces ofsaid cross rail, said top lugs and said lower lugs both extendingoutwardly with relation to said leg, the lower ends of said leg abuttingon the inclined upper surface of said cross rail, said leg extendingupwardly and outwardly from the said. cross rail, and means extendingthrough the lugs on said leg to secure it to said side rail and to saidcross rail.

2. In a bedframe or the like, a side rail, a cross rail of invertedV-shape in section presenting a peaked upper surface for shedding dust,a leg securing said cross rail to said side rail, said leg beinginclined outwardly and upwardly from an end of said cross rail and beingof angular shape, in section with its peaked surface facing inwardly andupwardly and having a pair of downwardly directed lower lugs contactingthe upper surfaces of said cross rail, and means securing said leg tosaid side rail and to said cross rail.

3. Ina bedframe or the like, a metal side rail, a metal cross rail ofinverted V.-shape in section, a metal leg securing said cross. rail tosaid side rail, said leg being of angular shape in section and having apair of integral top lugs in contact with the lower surface of said siderail, said leg having a pair of downwardly directed lower lugs inabutted engagement with the upper surfaces of said cross rail, a casterplate bridged over the lower surface of said cross rail, a caster socketengaged with said caster plate. and extending up through said crossrail, and a caster received in said caster socket.

4. In a bedframe or the like, a side rail, a cross rail of invertedV-shape in section, and a leg securing said cross rail to said siderail, said leg being of angular shape in section and having a pair oftop lugs engaging the lower surface of said side rail, said leg having apair of downwardly directed lower lugs in engagement with the uppersurfaces of said cross rail.

5. In a bedframe or the like, a side rail, a cross rail of invertedV-shape in section, a leg securing said cross rail to said side rail,said leg being of angular shape in section and having a pair ofoutwardly directed, with relation to said leg, integral 'top lugs inengagement with the lower surface of said side rail, said leg having apair of outwardly and downwardly directed integral lower lugs withrelation to said leg in contact with the upper surfaces of said crossrail, and caster means carried by said cross rail.

6. In a bedframe or the like, a bottom rail of substantially invertedV-shape in vertical section, a caster plate bridged across the loweredges of said bottom rail and having a central opening therethrough,said plate being secured to said edges against movement relative to lugscontacting the upper surfaces of said cross rail, means securing saidleg to said side rail and to said cross rail, a caster plate bridgedover the lower portion of said cross rail, and caster means carried bysaid caster plate.

8. A bedframe or the like comprising a bottom rail of inverted V-shapein vertical section presenting a peaked upper surface adapted to sheddust, a caster plate bridged across the lower edges of said rail andhaving a central opening vertically therethrough, said plate havingmarginal portions turned upwardly to retain the edges of said rail, saidrail having a central vertical opening therethrough in alignment withthe opening of said plate, and a caster socket extending through saidaligned openings to provide vertically spaced apart supports for saidcaster socket.

9. A bedframe or the like comprising a bottom rail of inverted V-shapein vertical section presenting a peaked upper surface adapted to sheddust, a caster plate bridged across the lower edges of said rail andhaving a central opening vertically therethrough, said plate havingmarginal portions turned upwardly to retain the edges of said rail, saidrail having a central vertical opening therethrough in alignment withthe opening of said plate, the edges of said rail being notched toretain the margins of said plate against movement longitudinal of saidrail and marginal portions of said plate being inwardly directed overthe peaked upper surface of said rail to retain said plate in placethereon, and a caster socket extending through said aligned openings toprovide vertically spaced apart supports for said caster socket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,011,440 Karpen Dec. 12, 1911 1,180,259 Diss Apr. 18, 1916 1,394,511Tamarin et al. Oct. 18, 1921 1,781,815 Herold Nov. 18, 1930 2,049,344Wittke July 28, 1936 2,317,077 Morgan Apr. 20, 1943 2,480,025 HunterAug. 23, 1949 2,582,832 Hopkins Jan. 15, 1952 2,607,051 Jackson Aug. 19,1952

